UNMIK/PR/1447
PRISTINA – SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen yesterday afternoon called for continued donor support for mine action in Kosovo. The SRSG was addressing a presentation on the current mine situation in Kosovo organised by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Management Section of UNMIK’s Office of the KPC [Kosovo Protection Corps] Co-ordinator. The Kosovo section of the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) mine action portfolio for funding requirements for 2006 was also launched at the time.
“We all know that one of the many tragedies of war is that even when a war ends, mines, explosive devices and other lethal weapons continue to maim and kill innocent people, especially children”, said the SRSG, adding that from his travels around the world he knows first-hand the devastation that landmines and explosive devices cause.
In Kosovo, the situation has improved substantially since the end of the conflict in 1999: from 4,500 dangerous areas in 1999, there are now 20 dangerous areas being cleared. This year alone some 4 million square metres have been cleared with nearly 3,000 ordnance removed. The work has been carried by the KPC with support from KFOR and the international NGOs Halo Trust, Mine Awareness Trust and Handicap International.
Two main problems remain in Kosovo however: mined areas with no minefield records are still being reported by members of the public, mainly along the border with Albania, and a still fairly large number of cluster munitions and unexploded ordnance in areas of dense vegetation which were not part of the original 1999-2001 clearance. A recent report by UNMAS [September 2005] recommended surveying any outstanding suspicious areas reported by the public and building the capacity of the KPC further so they would be in a position to take on mine action after the departure of the international NGOs. Funding for the NGOs to continue their work and for further training of the KPC has been limited however.
“As we approach status talks, it is important that we continue with the transfer of responsibilities to the KPC and continue the work to eradicate the scourge of mines. I urge the international community to continue to promote this life-saving and extremely worthwhile cause and I reiterate my call for continued financial support to mine action”, said the SRSG.